Crowd hits mother lode at My Mommy Mart

Large crowd flocks to Marietta event

April 22, 2013

MARIETTA - Crowds of deal-savvy moms browsed through racks of children's clothing, toys, books and more at the Washington County Fairground's Junior Fair Building on Sunday as the eighth My Mommy Mart children's consignment event came to a close.

The gigantic twice-a-year event had been going strong since Wednesday, when event volunteers were given the chance to shop early, said Williamstown resident Molly Floding, who owns and operates the event with husband Jason.

"As of Saturday night I think we have rung up over 1,200 individual transactions," said Floding.

Article Photos

Photo by Jasmine RogersMarietta resident Melissa Farris, 23, shops with 2-month-old son Dorian on Sunday at the final day of the spring My Mommy Mart children’s consignment sale at the Washington County Fairground.

Dozens more lined up Sunday afternoon to take advantage of the final day of the sale, when many consignors offered their items for half off.

That discount worked well for Marietta resident Wendy Griffith, who has 20-month-old twin boys.

"It helps a lot, especially this half price day," said Griffith, 34, who also came Thursday for the sneak peak.

Fact Box

About My Mommy Mart

* The bi-annual children's consignment event took place Wednesday through Sunday at the Washington County Fairground's Junior Fair Building.

* This year's spring event featured 175 consignors and over 24,000 items.

* The event began Wednesday with an early sale for volunteers and ran through Sunday when many items were half price.

* Visit the website, www.mymommymart.com, for upcoming events.

Source: My Mommy Mary owner, Molly Floding

The Thursday sneak peak cost $10 for a ticket and the proceeds went to local charities, she added.

Griffith was not the only shopper who was coming back for more on Sunday.

"This is our third day here," said 20-year-old Marietta resident Stephanie Hardie, who was shopping with 11-month-old son, Roman.

Hardie kept coming back for the great deals and quality clothes, she said. Roman kept coming back for the toys, she added.

"He got a little toy yesterday, and he's being good because he has one today," she said.

Marietta resident Amanda Heiss was shopping My Mommy Mart for the first time.

"I think we should have come sooner," said Heiss, noting that a lot of the clothes in her son Gage's size had been picked over.

Coming early has its benefits, said volunteer and consignor Amy McKenzie, 34, who shopped Wednesday night.

"I came home with a pile of stuff Wednesday and today I shopped some more. I like to come the last day and find playclothes because I don't mind paying 50 cents for a shirt they're going to destroy," she joked of her two young daughters.

McKenzie said she had made more money than she spent as of Saturday night, but was not sure if it would stay that way after her planned Sunday purchase.

"Even if I just break even, I'm happy," she said.

Williamstown resident Jessica Fulton, 28, said she was enjoying her first My Mommy Mart experience.

"Even still there are great deals. I expected it to be more shopped over," said Fulton who was looking at clothes for her 4-year-old son and 7-week-old daughter.

Sunday was the second time Marietta resident Melissa Farris, 23, had attended the event, but it was the first time for her son, 2-month old Dorian.

"I registered last year when I was pregnant and this year they sent me a little pamphlet reminding me," said Farris.

Farris said she really appreciated how the event had a special early Thursday shopping opportunity for new and expectant mothers.

"You can get really great stuff and it always looks brand new," she said.

Though she had just started shopping Sunday afternoon, Farris was confident she would find some great deals.

"Last year we hit the mother lode," she said.

Emily Bowersock, 22, had just recently heard about the event on Facebook.

"I'd never even heard of it," she said.

Emily and her grandmother, 56-year-old Cindy Bowersock, were shopping for Emily's 9-month-old daughter, Ava Cain, and had been quite successful.

"We've already got a full bag," said Cindy Bowersock.

Added Emily, "She's got a whole new wardrobe. She's spoiled."

Both women said they planned on returning for the next event, which will take place in the fall.